WALK THIS WAY!

O c t o b e r 1 , 2 0 1 4
The Lebo Light
P a g e 6
BLUE RIBBON 4-H CLUB’S
SEPTEMBER MEETING
BY Lauren Williams, Club reporter
The regular monthly meeting of the Blue
Ribbon 4-H Club was held on September 17,
2014 at the Lebo United Methodist Church.
The meeting was called to order by Junior
President, Bailey Darbyshire. Flag leaders,
Sage Edelman and Evan Combes lead the
club in reciting the flag salute and 4-H
pledge. Secretary, Sarah Sergeant recorded
roll call which was answered by “Make a
statement using your three initials”.
The August minutes were read by the
secretary and approved by the president.
Treasurer, Laura Krueger gave the
Treasurer’s Report. Reporter, Lauren
Williams gave the reporter’s report. Leader’s
reports were given by Dawn Williams and
Karen Sergeant. Karen congratulated
everyone on their success at the state fair.
She told the members about a worksheet to
help keep track of monthly events. Karen
also asked the parents to help judge record
books at the extension office from
September 30 through October 3 rd . Dawn
announced that Officer’s training is set for
October 1 at 7:15 in the courthouse
basement. She also announced that
National 4-H week was set for October 5
through October 11. The club will start the
week with 4-H Sunday at the Methodist
Church and end the week with a community
service project. Dawn also told members that
their state fair items were ready to be picked
up at the office. She also said that the club
would no longer be receiving the 4-H journal.
There was no old business.
For new business the club voted on their
nomination for friends of 4-H. They also
voted to pay the $100 scholarships to the
two individuals that completed the
scholarship requirements. The club voted to
collect donations for the Knights of
Columbus. Election of officers for the
upcoming year was held. The new officers
are as follows: President-Laura Krueger, Vice
President-Bailey Darbyshire, Secretary-Sarah
Sergeant, Treasurer-Macey Adams,
Reporter-Delaney Adams and Council
Members are Lauren, Regan, Bailey and
Sarah. Junior officers are as follows:
Jr. President- Audrey Durst, Jr. Vice
President- Regan Darbyshire, Jr.
Secretary- Lauren Williams, Jr.
Treasurer-Blayne Linsey and Jr.
Reporter-Grant Williams. There were
no songs or recreation due to election
of officers. The Adam’s family
announced the September
community service project is to
re-paint the 4-H Emblem on Lester
Reimer’s barn located by the
interstate. The club recited the club
motto and the meeting was
adjourned.
Quail Initiative
Habitat Tour and
Dinner – Oct. 21 st
By the Kansas Department of
Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Landowners and others interested in
improving quail habitat on their
property are invited to attend a Quail
Habitat Tour and free dinner
scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 st
at Melvern Wildlife Area, Reading,
Kansas. Starting at 4:30 PM, a tour
of completed and active habitat
projects on Melvern Wildlife Area will
take place. Those interested in
attending the tour will meet at the
KDWPT shop on the east side of Reading.
Following the tour, a free catered meal,
compliments of the Neosho Valley Quail
Forever and Emporia Quail and Upland
Wildlife Federation chapters, will be held at
the Reading city building around 6:00 pm.
Following dinner, Kansas Wildlife, Parks &
Tourism (KDWPT) will update participants on
the progress of the Quail Initiative Project and
present information on bobwhite biology and
habitat management. Local Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel will
also be on hand to discuss relevant cost
share programs available, as well as
representatives from other local conservation
organizations. The evening will wrap up with a
time for questions, discussion, and the
opportunity to sign up for habitat planning
assistance.
The Kansas Quail Initiative is an effort
spearheaded by the KDWPT to implement
additional funding in two areas of Eastern
Kansas to improve habitat for quail and
monitor the changes over the next five years.
The goal is to improve quail populations by
50% in these focus areas. The area of focus
area for this meeting includes the Melvern
Wildlife Area and over 190,000 acres in
portions of Lyon, Wabaunsee, Osage and
Coffey counties. “We plan to offer 100% cost
sharing for landowners in these areas to
implement ‘quail friendly practices’ on their
land,” according to Jim Pitman, Kansas small
game coordinator. “KDWPT has designated
$100,000 each year to this effort and those
dollars can be used to supplement the
normal 75% cost share rate from federal
habitat programs. The bottom line is that
landowners in this focal area will work with
biologists to plan habitat improvements for
quail and cost-share payments will cover all
the costs,” according to Pitman. Some of the
practices eligible for cost-share funding
include native grass and forb planting,
removal of invading trees from grasslands,
prescribed burning, hedgerow renovation and
prescribed grazing. During its first two years,
the Initiative has directly impacted nearly
1,300 private land acres and 4,400 public
land acres.
To learn more about this effort, call 620-
342-0658 by October 15th to make your
reservation for the habitat tour and/or meal. If
cannot attend, but would like to know more
about the initiative, call Pat Riese, District
Biologist, 620-583-5049.